Ethics Advisory Opinion
EAO-461.
The Texas Ethics Commission has
been asked to consider whether a legislator who is a lawyer may be employed
by a law firm that represents clients before a state agency. (AOR-522)
SUMMARY
There is nothing in the laws subject to interpretation by the Ethics Commission
that prohibits a legislator from being employed by a firm simply because other
members of the firm represent clients before state agencies.
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by §571.091 of the Government
Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes:
(1) Chapter 572, Government Code;
(2) Chapter 302, Government Code;
(3) Chapter 303, Government Code;
(4) Chapter 305, Government Code;
(5) Chapter 2004, Government Code;
(6) Title 15, Election Code;
(7) Chapter 36, Penal Code; and
(8) Chapter 39, Penal Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics
Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512)
463-5800.
TRD-200501341
Sarah Woelk
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: March 29, 2005